Orientation 2009: New Students Prepare for Success on Campus

(August 24, 2009 – Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University is once again gearing up to welcome a fresh class of new students to the Thunder Bay campus. The theme of this year's Orientation is 'Just Think...' Just Think... about the fun you'll have, about the new friends you'll make, and about how prepared you'll be for University! From September 4 - 9, 2009, Orientation organizers and volunteers have developed a fun, informative, and activity-filled week to help Lakehead’s new students, along with their families and friends, get to know Thunder Bay, the Lakehead University campus, plus its faculty, and staff.

Orientation offers new undergraduate students the opportunity to become familiar with the campus and to learn what services exist to support them and how to access these services.

"While we offer a wide variety of fun events and great prizes, ultimately our purpose is to provide new students and their families with the best information and guidance possible," says Brendan Hughes, New Student Orientation Officer for Lakehead University. "Throughout the summer Lakehead's faculty and staff have been preparing to make sure that new students and their families have all their questions answered, and are made to feel at home on campus."

"We have a fresh and exciting line-up of academic and social activities this year," says Alex Kruse, Orientation Office Student Intern. "Students can stay abreast of the events by viewing the Orientation schedule online at http://orientation.lakeheadu.ca/thunderbay/." Incoming students are also reminded to check their University e-mail accounts to be in touch with their Student Ambassador and stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

Highlights of the week's activities include: Move-in day at Residence on September 4, Family and Friends Welcome Session and the Family & Friends BBQ on September 5, Tours of Thunder Bay on September 7, Lakehead 101 (new students' first lecture) and the Outdoor Carnival on Tuesday September 8, and Student Clubs and Cultural Activities on September 9.

Some events require RSVPs, which can be made by visiting the Orientation website.

Lakehead is proud to offer an alcohol-free Orientation Week, as the safety of all students is the University's first priority.

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Media: Brendan Hughes may be contacted for a media interview. He can be reached at 766-7290. Shannon Foster may also be contacted regarding any Residence, move-in, or event-related inquiries at 343-8622. If media would like to be escorted to various campus events, please contact Jasmine Durham at 343-8177.

About LakeheadLakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.